Chef Gaffney's soda bread - an Irish recipe for success

Rachel Gaffney has a mission - to introduce real Irish food to the US market.

Gaffney launched her business, "Rachael Gaffney's Real Ireland" over a decade ago in Texas because she noticed that “people’s perception of the Ireland I knew was somewhat distorted.” She was getting tired of the green beer and cabbage approach.

She launched her company with her flagship product, traditional Irish butter shortbreads, followed by lemon zest shortbreads but she is best known for her Irish soda bread. The American public goes wild for it.

Here's her recipe: Irish soda bread

Ingredients:

3 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 tablespoons wheat germ

2 teaspoons rolled oats, plus 2 teaspoons rolled oats for sprinkling

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 quart buttermilk

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add liquid ingredients. Mix together well, trying not to handle too much.

Form a ball gently with your floured hands. Do not work this bread like traditional yeast breads. Sprinkle with remaining oats.

Place on a lightly greased baking sheet; make a cross in the bread with a sharp paring knife and bake for 45 minutes. Cool on wire rack.